What You Need To Know About Royal Ascot Goat Races

This Saturday, 25th August, all roads lead to Speke Resort Munyonyo for the return of the much acclaimed Royal Ascot Goat Races after a six year lull. The Royal Ascot Goat Races, which was last held in 2012, was the most popular event on Uganda’s social calendar.

This year’s event, according to Sheen Ruparelia, one of the organizers, will bring that amazing experience back with fun-filled activities everyone can participate in. The goat races will entail six races over the course of the day, with each race featuring 10 goats. Many Prizes will be won by revelers.

“Our focus is on the races and activities around that, but there will be hospitality tents available, a food court with up to 10 types of cuisines; a beer garden, cocktail and champagne bars, sport games, silent disco areas, and chill-out lounges,” she said.

First ever goat races

The Royal Ascot Goat Races, held at the Speke Resort on the shores of Lake Victoria, have been an annual Kampala tradition since 1993. During those years, Kampala’s A-listers have been living a life of luxury and merry as the goats raced until it went into a sabbatical in 2012.

This probably explains the excitement surrounding the social event’s return on Saturday.

Big on fashion

The most iconic thing about the goat races is fashion. The goat races have always been about fashion and glamour. And this year, the event will be big on fashion without diverting from the main purpose of the races, Sheena Ruparelia said.

“This day is still going to be big on fashion. We have a competition for the best dressed individuals, best hats and couple. We look forward to seeing all those beautiful outfits.

A panel of judges will be walking around with lots of great prizes. We will also have the hospitality tents and activity tents with sports games, silent disco, chill out lounges and of course the kids area.” she added.

Networking

The Royal Ascot Goat Races is a place to network, make new friends and bump into those you have not seen in a long time. Since it is a corporate event, it is a place where you can land onto a life changing opportunity or deal.

Music, drinks and a good life

The Goat Races round this time have a few interesting additions such as the silent disco, chopper rides, helicopter flyovers and fire works. Expect action packed races, competitions with big prizes to be won, food and drink outlets and a wide variety of other entertainment for both adults and children including an aerobatic display, fireworks display & evening entertainment.

Goats actually race

Sheena Rupparelia during the launch of the foat races last month at Speke Apartments said that the goat races will stay true to itself - the actual goat races - with a lot of fun and engagement.

The goat races will entail six races over the course of the day, with each race featuring 10 goats. You can bet on which goat will win a race and win cash and other prizes.

Giving back to community

Over the years, a percentage of the proceeds from The Royal Ascot Goat Races has been distributed to benefit a section of the underprivileged community. And this year, continuing with their social responsibility tradition, The Royal Ascot Goat Races will once again give back to society, with Totos Tag Rugby and Outreach programme being this year’s beneficiaries, Naiya Rajiv, one of the organizers said.

Under the Totos Tag Rugby programme 250 children train at the Kyadondo Rugby Club every weekend. Toto’s Tag Rugby has been instrumental in rugby development in the country. Many of the national team players have gone through this programme.